"Kid, what are you doing sitting next to such a dangerous spot all on your own? Where are your parents?"
The little girl with brown hair and brown eyes looked up, her eyelids swollen and puffy from crying. Her face quickly twisted into panic.
"A-ah... I... I, um..."
She struggled to get any proper words out, tongue tripping over every sound. One of the stall owners who had approached her clicked his tongue, clearly annoyed.
"Listen, you're making a lot of people anxious. It's bad for business tonight. Did you get separated from your parents and lose your way? If you did, you'll probably have better luck finding them if you head toward the square."
"Ugh, just chase her off, boss. She's probably some pickpocket. Don't get too close."
"Do you think I'm stupid? I know how close I should get."
The worker—presumably from the same stall—glared at the girl, making her flinch.
"Tch. Boss, just tell the kid to get lost or we chop her hand off for trying to steal."
